Media Release

EXCLUSIVE
for immediate release
Welcome to the Starman TrendSetter Media
Exclusive Sneak Preview! The best jewelry
designers from around the world have been hard
at work with the latest bead shapes and colors
from Starmanand you get to see it before
anyone else! This Media Kit is an en masse
submission for publication. To claim a piece,
please email Amanda Hundt, Marketing Manager,
AHundt@StarmanInc.com before 1/1/2014, so we
may choose pieces for our promotional use.

Adele

KIMPELL
Minnesota, United States
Adele Kimpell was introduced to off-loom bead
weaving in 1994. She became intrigued with the
endless possibilities offered by the vast variety of
bead colors, shapes, sizes, and types and has since
found her niche in designing with seed beads and
off-loom bead weaving. A desire to share her love
of beads and the knowledge she has gained led her
to begin teaching private classes in the fall of 2001
then progressed to teaching at bead shops, bead
societies and guilds, and bead shows at a national
level to inspire the artistic spirit in others.
1. CzechMates Triangle and Dagger bracelet
2. CzechMates Triangle Bracelet
3. CzechMates Triangle Lariat
4. CzechMates Brick Necklaces
5. CzechMates Brick Bracelets
6. CzechMates Lentil Bracelets

5
6

Akiko

NOMUR A
Japan
I was born and grew up in Yokohama, Japan.
When I was 13, my fathers work took my family to
Argentina, then Paraguay and Brazil. I lived there
for 5 years and was greatly influenced by Latin
American culture. My interest in bead design
began 15 years ago, having found a book written by
Janet Cole when I was visiting my daughters who
were studying in London. I enjoy creating things,
especially when you can vary the style, proportions
and colors.

1. CzechMates Triangle and Lentil necklace

(with SuperDuos, Pearls, and more)
2. CzechMates Triangle and Tile Bracelet
(with SuperDuos)
3. CzechMates Triangle and Lentil Ring
(with SuperDuos)

A L L T HR E E PIECE S
F E AT UR E PENDING

Ayako

KOSAK A

Japan
Ayako started beadwork by self-learning, and
acquired various beadwork-related qualifications
after opening a qualification lecture through
Gakusyu Forum in 2002. At the beadwork
competitions, she received many awards such as
selected work, fine work, and special award. While
she provides artworks to beadwork magazines, she
mainly works as a lecturer. Keiko actively teaches
the concept of fun beadwork in her classes while
always providing easily understandable and careful
instructions and keeping pace with her students.

1. CzechMates Dagger Necklace

2. CzechMates Tile Beaded Bag

Beki

H A L E Y
California, United States
Beki Haley has been in love with beads for over 40
years now. She was introduced to the amazing art
form of seed bead weaving by her grandmother
when she was a child. That early start in exploring
the intricacy and fine detail that can be attained
with seed beads has stayed with Beki throughout
her life. Even as a young teen, Beki loved teaching
others all the beautiful things that can be created
with beads. She has over 30 years of teaching
experience in several different venues from large
auditorium settings to intimate one-on-one classes
and everything in between.

1. CzechMates Triangle Bracelet

2. CzechMates Lentil Earrings
3. CzechMates Tile and Lentil Bracelet
(with SuperDuos)

To be taught at
Bead&Button

T O B E F E AT U R E D

Diane

FITZGERALD
Minnesota, United States
Diane Fitzgerald is a jewelry designer and bead
collector who works with beads in a variety of
ways including beadwork and stringing. She has
authored 12 books on beadwork and written more
than 100 articles. Since 1989, Diane has taught a
wide range of bead classes throughout the U.S.
and internationally. Diane has traveled to South
Africa to study Zulu and Xhosa beadwork and to
the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Italy and
other areas to learn about the glass bead industry
and meet beadworkers and beadmakers.

1. CzechMates Triangle Bracelet

2. CzechMates Dagger Earrings
3. CzechMates Lentil Bracelet
4. CzechMates Triangle and Brick Bracelet
5. CzechMates Triangle Beaded Beads

Eileen

BARKER
Idaho, United States
Eileen is a mother, grandmother, artist, and the
owner of Bead Street in Boise, Idaho. She is a true
beadaholic; she loves her customers and teaching
jewlery making classes. Her other interests
include watercolor painting, gardening, and bird
watching. Some of her most incredible works were
created while pursuing her passion for travelling
and exploring other cultures. Visit her blog at
beadstreetonline.blogspot.com.

1. CzechMates Triangle Bracelet

2. CzechMates Lentil Earrings
3. CzechMates Tile and Lentil Bracelet
(with SuperDuos)

Being taught
at The Best
Bead Show

Hannah

ROSNER
Ohio, United States
I began teaching both lampworking and beadweaving
in 2000 and have taught at bead stores and bead
societies across the US. In June 2013 I presented
both lampworking and beadweaving classes at
the Bead & Button show. In July 2013 I taught at
the International Society for Glass Beadmakers
Gathering. Currently, I am scheduling classes for
the second half of 2014.

1. CzechMates Triangle Bracelets (2 sizes

and colorways.)
2. Starman Color Trends: Pop Collection
3. CzechMates Triangle Ring

To be featured as a
Starman Pattern of
the Month

F E AT U R E
PENDING

Emi

YAMADA
Japan
Emi Yamada, a fellow member of the Bead
Society of Japan, has learned many genres
of beading techniques, from off-loom, bead
crochet and wirework, to bead embroidery.
Her beadwork has won a number of awards
at major competitions in Japan. She is very
particular about colors, pursuing her own
colorway. Having a theme for each project,
Emi completes and finishes every piece of
her projects with great care.

1. CzechMates Dagger Necklace

F E AT UR E PENDING

Junko

A N D O

Japan
After graduating from college, I worked in
commercial design as a package designer. Due to
my interest in a modern art, I changed my career
from a commercial art work to a work at art gallery.
Later, I worked as a curator at the exhibition of
modern art. I was in involved in a concept creating
job for a hall construction in a region on the basis
of the hearing interview with artists. Although I
resigned from that position to become a mother, I
am currently actively working and aiming to create
wearable artwork with beads utilizing my unique
design sense.

1. CzechMates Dagger, Lentil, and

Tile Necklace (with SuperDuos, TOHO
Magatamas, Bicones, Rounds, and more)
2. CzechMates Lentil Lariat (with Petals,
Leaves, Firepolish, TOHO Bugles, and more)

Keiko

OKOMOTO
Japan
Keiko is currently teaching a class as a beadwork
accessory instructor mainly in Nagoya of Aichi
prefecture. She also provides artwork and patterns
to specialty magazines for beadwork. She has loved
to work with handicrafts since she was young. She
has challenged herself in various handicraft fields
such as beadwork, knitting, clay work, and Japanese
paper handicraft. In 2000, she started a full-scale
production of beaded jewelry and acquired a
beadwork-related qualification. Keiko keeps busy
with activities such as a lecture class, Internet shop,
and event store participation at present.

1. CzechMates Lentil Necklace (with

Firepolish, Nugget, and gold chain)
2. TOHO Bead Lariat (with SuperDuos)
3. TOHO Bead Bracelet (with SuperDuos)
4. CzechMates Tile Bracelet

Kim

R U E T H

Wisconsin, United States

20+ years ago someone had an idea to cash in her
401k, abandon the corporate system, and start a
bead store. Knot Just Beads is the result. Kim has
been creating bead projects for as long as one can
remember. These days Kim is the Wizard of Beads,
and is often referred to as the Mother Ship. When
the new CzechMate system became available Kim
quickly adapted her knowledge of beads to these
2-hole versions. Most in the bead world depend
on appropriation for their success, Kim however
treasures innovation above all else to distinguish
Knot Just Beads from others.

1. CzechMates Triangle Pendant

2. CzechMates Triangle and Brick Bracelet
(with Rizo)
3. CzechMates Triangle and Lentil Bracelet

Kimie

S U T O
Japan
Ever since her childhood, Kimie Suto has loved
handicrafts, which made her a unique child. She
became fascinated by beadwork jewelry, both
making and wearing her pieces. Soon she started
teaching beadwork classes at a handicraft shop.
In 2002, she became a certified instructor of
Japanese-style beading skills by having completed
the curriculum designed by the Japan Association
of Leisure and Cultural Development. She designs
for some Japanese bead magazines and beadwork
books. In 2008, she won the grand prix at the Bead
Art Japan Awards 2008.

1. CzechMates Lentil Necklace

2. CzechMates Lentil Ring

Lisa

Washington, United States

With an eye for color and textural balance,
Lisa weaves crystals, pearls and seedbeads
with layering effects to create designs with
dimension and depth. Her focus is on creating
elegant, wearable, multi-purpose and modular
component beadwork designs. Lisa is the author
of Bead Romantique: Elegant Beadweaving
Designs and a 2009 Beadwork Magazine
Designer of the Year. Her designs have been
published in numerous bead magazines.

1. CzechMates Triangle Bracelet

Marcia

BALONIS

Florida, United States

Jewelry design is my passion. I have created many
forms of jewelry, sold, taught, and published numerous
articles in magazines and booklets. My primary goal is
to share my passion with others by teaching and selling
items. Bead weaving of all kinds allows me to create a
wide range of jewelry. I work with all kinds of beads in
the process. I am a retired financial manager. I guess
Ive gone from counting beans to beads.

1. CzechMates Lentil Bracelet (class project)

2. CzechMates Brick and Tile Bracelet
3. CzechMates Triangle, Brick, and Lentil
Bracelet
4. CzechMates Triangle Bracelet
5. CzechMates Lentil and Triangle Necklace
6. CzechMates Triangle Earrings (with Petals)
7. CzechMates Triangle Rope Necklace
(with SuperDuos)

1.
To be featured as
Starman Pattern of
the Month

F E AT U R E
PENDING
7

Miwako

SHIMIZU
Japan
Miwako acquired a qualification of beadwork after
leaving her job at broadcast station. She now works
as an instructor at the head office of Gakusyu Forum,
and a member of the jewelry crochet committee. She
began receiving requests for classes and designs
from companies after having presented her new
designs through media such as TV and magazines.
Her Internet shop, http://nagomistyle.net, established
with her class graduates, is becoming popular.
1. CzechMates Tile and Brick Necklace
2. CzechMates Dagger, Tile and Lentil Necklace
3. CzechMates Tile Necklace
4. CzechMates Tile Bracelet
5. CzechMates Lentil Spiral Bracelet
6. CzechMates Triangle Ring
7. TOHO Beads Brooch (with Nugget, Round)
8. CzechMates Tile Brooches (2 colorways)

F E AT U R E
PENDING

Nichole

STA R M A N
Idaho, United States
Nichole has been an integral part of the industry
for over 12 years wholesaling Czech glass. She has
produced some of the worlds most notable styles
and colors of beads. Nichole loves the infinite
possibilities using the bead color palette to create
wearable works of art. The introduction of TOHO
brand seed beads into her work has given new
dimension to designing with Czech glass.

1. CzechMates Triangle and Tile Bangle

(with Firepolish)
2. CzechMates Triangle and Tile Bangle
3. CzechMates Lentil and Tile Bangle
4. CzechMates Lentil and Brick Bangle
5. CzechMates Dagger Bangle (with
Starman Color Trends Melons)
6. SuperDuo and CzechMates Brick Bangle

F E AT U R E PE NDING

F E AT U R E PE NDING

Patty

M c CO U R T
United Kingdom
Patty McCourt is a professional bead artist,
jewellery designer, tutor, consultant, and owner
of BeadbyBead in Nottingham. She lives with her
husband Bill and her two lovely daughters, Katerina
and Stephanie. Patty has loved art and craft from
an early age growing up in Colombia and lived
in Indonesia for two years where she studied
batik. She was attracted to beads while studying
for her degree in 3 Dimensional Design at South
Nottingham College. She has taught beadwork in
adult education for over 8 years.

1. CzechMates Triangle and Dagger

Necklace
2. CzechMates Triangle Bracelet
3. CzechMates Brick and Triangle Pendant
4. CzechMates Triangle Ring
5. CzechMates Triangle Beaded Bead

F E AT U R E
PENDING

Keiko

TOMIZAWA
Japan
Keiko also serves as an lecturer for continuous
education school. Learning a technique for stitch,
string, and embroidery, then seeking for an
enjoyable accessory. She creates many artworks
for magazines and also provides many designs to
companies.

1. CzechMates Lentil and Dagger Necklace

Penny

D I X O N
Idaho, United States
I started making jewelry in 2009 because I needed
an indoor girly hobby. I quickly found out that
beading and I were like peas and carrots. I just
loved everything about it. I enjoy the process of
beading as well as the result. Its a journey where
learning is always happening; techniques are
constantly refined and creativity reigns. Im amazed
by the vast diversity of materials and what can be
done to make beautiful designs. With the prompting
of several artists and beading enthusiasts, I started
sharing my designs and doing a little teaching, too.

1. CzechMates Tile and Brick Bracelet

(2 colorways)
2. CzechMates Triangle Bangle (2 colorways)
3. TOHO Treasures Necklace and Earrings
(2 colorways)
4. CzechMates Triangle Necklace/Pendant

F E AT U R E PE NDING

Rochelle

PETERSON
Minnesota, United States
I learned to bead on a loom in Girl Scouts when I was
12 and over the last 35 years my work has evolved
from resurrecting vintage fashions, tribal trends,
and patterns that I find in nature. Originally from
Minneapolis, MN, my work is informed by time spent
in San Diego as a hat and clothing designer for the
Old Globe Theater. I love the beading community
because of the interactive and inspirational energy
that surrounds everyone.
1. CzechMates Tile and Brick Bracelet
2. CzechMates Triangle and Tile Bracelet
3. SuperDuo, Round, Bicone Bracelet
4. CzechMates Dagger and Lentil Necklace
5. CzechMates Dagger, Tile, Triangle
Earrings (matching necklace avail.)
6. CzechMates Triangle, Brick, Lentil
Earrings (2 colorways)
7. CzechMates Triangle Rope Necklace

Rose

K A SA LLIS
Alabama, United States
Im a Bama chick who isnt into football shh,
dont tell them I only live for beads. Im just the
designer who keeps them in trendy jewelry made
with their favorite team colors. I relocated from
Las Vegas where I started my jewelry designing
career. I took my first lesson from Bead Haven
for my birthdaya present to myselfand started
teaching my own designs a year later. It has almost
been three years of teaching and designing and I
still love every minute. I will have my first pattern
published in Decembers issue of Bead & Button.
1. CzechMates Triangle Bracelet (with
SuperDuo, Petal, and more)
2. CzechMates Triangle and Tile Wrap
(with SuperDuo)
3. CzechMates Triangle and Tile Necklace
4. CzechMates Triangle and Brick Ring
5. CzechMates Triangle and Tile Wrap

Stephanie

M A LON EY
Kentucky, United States
Stephanie, a retired professor, lives in Louisville with
her husband Tom. The sights, sounds, and colors of
Brazil, where she served in the Peace Corps, and
Portugal, where she worked as an archaeologist for 30
years, influence her work. After retirement a decade
ago, Stephanie was inspired to begin beading by her
best friend with whom she started Lrios Designs.
She began learning off-loom weaving but soon found
herself drawn to the loom. Now a designer and selfprofessed loom addict, she believes that if something
has a hole it can be woven.

1. CzechMates Triangle Woven Necklace

2. CzechMates Triangle Woven Bracelet

Ute

K L U W E
Germany
My beading career started in 2006. My first projects
where starlets for the Christmas tree made of beads
and wire. After that I asked myself, what else can I
do with beads? I searched the internet and found
examples for seed bead jewelry and thus my new
passion was born. I studied many books, magazines,
and websites. I learned various techniques and after
some months I created my first design. I like to
inspire and share my passion for beads with other
people. Thats why I started my beading workshops
and projects.

1. CzechMates Triangle Earrings

(with Rulla)
2. CzechMates Triangle and Brick Earrings
3. CzechMates Triangle and Brick Bracelet

Svetlana

Israel
I was born in picturesque South Siberia, Russia: blue
lakes and rivers, snow and rocky mountains, green
valleys. My birthplace gives inspiration to my artwork.
Today, I live in Israel, another beautiful place. So, I am
inspired from here too: Middle East, a large number
of cultures, and SSS (sea, sun, sand). I have been
beading for 8 years. I enjoy working and teaching at
our bead store, World of Beads.
1. CzechMates Triangle Bracelet
2. SuperDuo Bracelet
3. CzechMates Triangle and Brick Bracelet
4. CzechMates Triangle and Dagger Earrings
(with Mini Dagger)
5. CzechMates Dagger Earrings

6. SuperDuo and Rizo Drape Necklace

7. CzechMates Dagger Bracelet
8. CzechMates Triangle, Dagger, & Lentil Choker

Yasmin

SA R FAT I
Israel
Yasmin Sarfati is a self-taught designer. She
stumbled across a bead store 12 years ago when
she got off at a wrong bus stop, and she has been
beading ever since. First for herself, family, and
friends while still working as an office manager and
an education student. After a few years she opened
a bead store in Israel and has been teaching the art
of jewelry making focusing on off-loom beading with
TOHO seed beads and crystals. She was published
in beading magazines several times and loves the
combination of seed beads and crystals.

1. CzechMates Triangle Bracelet

2. CzechMates Triangle Ring
3. CzechMates Triangle, Dagger, and Lentil
Necklace

Yumiko

WATANABE

Japan
Yumiko Watanabe has always been active, and was
an athletic tennis player in college and a swimming
instructor for over ten years after her marriage. She
discovered a bag charm handmade with Swarovski
crystals, by which she discovered beadwork. She
learned skills such as Japanese-style beadwork,
silver crochet, art clay silver, off-loom weaving, bead
crochet, and wire jewelry techniques. As a member
of the curriculum design committee, she has analyzed
beading techniques from the viewpoint of learners
and has studied the basics of creativity.

1. CzechMates Triangle Necklace

Starman, Inc. supports Local Bead Stores by not selling beads at the retail level (wholesale
only). When listing bead sources for a project supply list, Starman will provide the name
of preferred retail vendor. When discussing bead manufacturers, importers, wholesalers,
or brand names (e.g., CzechMates), then Starman, Inc. may be attributed.

STARMAN, INC.
Corporate Office
5509 Glenwood St Ste B
Garden City, ID 83714
U.S. Distribution Center
250 Center Park Way
Sequim, WA 98382
1-888-683-BEAD [2323]
Europe Distribution Center
Koralex s.r.o.
Alovice 156
468 21 Bratrkov
Czech Republic
+(420) 483 360 288
www.CzechBeads.com
www.StarmanWholesale.com
www.SeedBeads.eu

Every TrendSetter design in this media kit

features TOHO seed bead rounds in addition
to the Starman Czech Beads listed.
Some designs feature only TOHO Beads.